A wave of deep grief has swept across Jharkhand following the sudden demise of the state higher and technical education minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu. He passed away on Sunday after suffering a heart attack. A resident of Giridih, Sudivya Kumar Sonu shared a profound and emotional connection with Koderma and particularly the city of Jhumri Telaiya. Several important years of his childhood were spent in this very region, and following his passing, old memories and stories from his early days are being fondly recalled by local residents.
Completed matriculation from CH School
Sudivya Kumar Sonu spent his childhood days within the residential premises of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Division located on Pani Tanki Road in Jhumri Telaiya city. At that time, his father Shambhunath was posted there. Vijay Kumar, a stenographer in the Drinking Water and Sanitation Division, shared that Shambhunath served as the executive engineer here during the undivided Bihar period from January 5, 1980, to March 6, 1983. During this tenure, Sudivya Kumar Sonu received his education in Jhumri Telaiya. He studied at the local CH School and successfully passed his matriculation examination from the same institution in 1983. He made several friends during his school days whose memories stayed with him years later.
Returned to childhood memories after becoming a legislator
Vijay Kumar shared an emotional anecdote involving Sudivya Kumar Sonu. According to him, when Sudivya Kumar Sonu visited Koderma to attend an event after winning the election and becoming a legislator for the first time, he made it a point to visit the residential complex where his father had been posted and where he spent his childhood. Upon arriving, he spotted Pancham Ram, the old cook working on the premises. Meeting him after many years, Sudivya Kumar Sonu embraced him warmly and asked if he recognized him. Taken aback by the sudden embrace and the question from an elected representative, Pancham Ram was momentarily stunned. Sudivya Kumar Sonu then reminded him that he was Sonu, whom the cook had carried in his arms as a child. Hearing this instantly revived old memories, creating a deeply emotional atmosphere for everyone present.
Played games with school friends
Senior journalist Vinod Kumar Vishwakarma, who was a batchmate of Sudivya Kumar Sonu during the 1982-83 academic session, also recalled memories from their early years. He noted that they lived in the same neighborhood. As evening approached, the children of the locality would gather to play together, and Sudivya Kumar Sonu actively participated in these activities alongside his friends.
Vinod Kumar Vishwakarma also mentioned that several of Sudivya Kumar Sonu's school friends still reside in Koderma. Upon receiving the news of his sudden passing, many of his old friends and acquaintances traveled to Giridih to pay their final respects. Although Sudivya Kumar Sonu's political career was primarily based in Giridih, Jhumri Telaiya and Koderma held a significant place in the earliest memories of his life. With his departure, Koderma has lost an old acquaintance whose childhood memories remain alive among local residents and school companions.
